(Editor’s note: Opinion pieces are published for discussions purposes only.)

By Michael Collins | Paradise Valley Independent

Thank you to those residents who have participated in neighborhood meetings and discussions about the planned improvements along East Doubletree Ranch Road.

Many of you living along this stretch of road have voiced concern over specifics of the proposed project as well as the lack of opportunity to participate earlier and more often in the project planning and design process. I fully understand your frustration and accept your criticism.

Your concerns about the proposed changes, as well as the lack of opportunity for resident involvement, highlight some significant gaps in our process as a town in informing and engaging our residents about capital improvement projects planned for their neighborhood.

As one of my last major initiatives as your mayor, I am proposing changes to our process to close this gap and improve communications to give residents like you more opportunities to participate early and often in future capital improvement project planning.